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  Volume 3 • Number 9 • 2010  

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Call for Papers:

Global White Supremacy and Skin Bleaching in Africa and her Diaspora

Guest Edited by
Yaba Amgborale Blay
Assistant Professor, Africana Studies
Lafayette College, Pennsylvania

&

Christopher A.D. Charles
Assistant Professor, King Graduate School
Monroe College, New York

Skin bleaching -- the intentional alteration of one’s natural skin color to one relatively, if not substantially lighter in color, through the use of chemical skin lightening agents -- is a widespread global phenomenon. Within the context of global white supremacy, skin color communicates one’s position to and within the dominant power structure. Given this reality, many people, namely those subjected to white domination, colonization, and enslavement, have historically internalized projected notions that the basis of their inferior condition is their skin color. In an attempt to change their realities, many have attempted to change their skin color. Focusing specifically on skin bleaching as it manifests in Africa and her Diaspora, this special edition seeks articles that examine the practice from a variety of perspectives (historical, social, cultural, political, psychological, economic, health, etc.). We are particularly interested in analyses that draw attention to the impact of global white supremacy on valuations of skin color and the extent to which skin bleaching, as a social practice is functionary of white domination. Topics will include but are not limited to: the causes of skin bleaching, the historical and cultural influences upon skin bleaching, the psychology of the skin bleacher, the institutions that support or reflect skin bleaching, the health implications of the practice, the marketing and retailing of skin bleaching products, and the policies to curb the practice in Africa and its Diaspora. Reviews of books with related foci will also be considered.


All manuscripts must be original (hence, not under consideration anywhere) and submitted to the guest editors in Microsoft Word format via e-mail ( blayya@lafayette.edu ). The entire work should not exceed twenty-five double-spaced pages with a concise title, abstract, and standard scholarly citations (see http://www.jpanafrican.com/submission.htm). Please include a coversheet with your name, current affiliation, full contact information, title of article, keywords, and a brief biographical description (no more than 60 words). All publication decisions will be made by blind review - make sure your name does not appear on any page other than the coversheet. Articles (or parts of articles) in languages other than English will be considered, however they must also be presented in English. JPAS does not have a preferred form for citation and referencing (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). The author(s) should use what is standard in his/her area of study. The only requirement is that the author be consistent throughout the text.



Important Dates:

September 30, 2010: Abstract submission deadline

November 15 , 2010 : Paper submission deadline

December 15 , 2010 : Provisional acceptance of papers

January 31, 2010 : Revised final manuscript due date



Please address all inquiries related to this special issue to the guest editor at ccharles@monroecollege.edu


Yaba Amgborale Blay, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Africana Studies
Lafayette College
118 Pardee Hall
Easton, PA 18042
610.330.5993